Mariners Hospital employees nominated Gail Connazzaro, a Key Largo resident, as the hospital's employee of the quarter. Her peers considered her caring and compassion for patients to be outstanding. Connazzaro, a patient financial representative, invited a patient's family member to stay with her during a hurricane,because the woman was afraid to be alone during the storm.

Upon learning she had received the award, Connazzaro said, "Receiving this award is very special. I enjoy helping patients. I put myself on the other side of the desk and treat them the way I would like to be treated. When people are sick and not feeling well, they feel scared and vulnerable. I try to relieve their anxiety."

Padgett gets financial certification

Hunter Padgett has earned the certified financial planner designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Achieving this designation requires the successful completion of a CFP education program, at least three years of qualifying full-time planning, and a passing score on the 10-hour CFP certification exam. Padgett completed the two-year educational program through Boston University. He also has a bachelor's degree in economics from Clemson University and has completed the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.

The CFP is the highest professional designation in the financial planning field. Padgett plans to focus his practice on the sole proprietor and small business owner, with a special emphasis on income tax mitigation, debt restructuring and retirement planning.

Danny Garcia has been named Keys Energy Services' (KEYS) outstanding employee of the fourth quarter for 2012.

Garcia has worked for the utility for mroe than 23 years and currently serves as a power system coordinator in KEYS' Control Center. Prior to his current position he held numerous positions throughout the company, including: apprentice lineman, power plant operator, meter reader, and tree trimmer. In his current position, he is responsible for the management of KEYS' electric grid by controlling loading of the systems generating resources.

Final selection of the outstanding employee is based on several factors that include attendance, attitude, efficiency, initiative and job performance.

The Utility Board will recognize Garcia during an upcoming meeting. His name will be engraved on a perpetual plaque that hangs in the William Arnold Service Building lobby, he will receive a $250 bonus, and an extra day off.

Meads named to board of directors

Islamorada resident Cheryl Meads has been named to the Mariners Hospital Foundation board of directors for a two-year term. Mariners Hospital Foundation is the hospital's fundraising arm.

A graduate of Western Carolina University, Meads has held positions at Burroughs Wellcome, Glaxo and GlaxoSmithKline. Prior to retiring to the Florida Keys, she was the owner of Chemistry for Life, Inc.

Local hotels get kudos

The La Mer Hotel & Dewey House ranked No. 10 in the top 20 hotels in Florida.

The awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 40,000 "Conde Nast" readers who rated various travel venues and services. The two oceanfront properties have 19 quaint rooms and are Key West's only AAA Four Diamond Oceanfront Small Luxury Hotels.

This is not the first year that the La Mer Hotel & Dewey House has achieved such great standing in Conde Nast. In 2011, the La Mer Hotel & Dewey House was ranked number 21 out of the Top 50 Small Hotels in the United States, and was recognized in 2010 with the Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Award.

The La Mer Hotel and Dewey House are part of the Southernmost Hotel Collection.